Buckle for safety belt and the like



Feb. 26, 1963 R. A. BROWN 3,078,538

BUCKLE FOR SAFETY BELT AND THE LIKE Filed June l, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 28 32 INVENTOR. ROBERT A. BROWN FIG. 4 56 BY his attorneys.

Feb. 26, 1963 R. A. BROWN 3,078,538

BUCKLE FOR SAFETY BELT AND THE LIKE Filed June l, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ROBERT A. BROWN his attorneys.

Patented Feb. 26, 1963 3,078,538 BUCKLE FOR SAFETY BELT AND THE LIKE Robert A. Brown, Rochester, N.Y., assignor to I-Iickok Manufacturing Co., Inc., Rochester, NY., a corporation of New York Filed June 1, 1961, Ser. No. 114,057 3 Claims. (Cl. 24-230) This invention relates to buckles and more especially to buckles for connecting the ends of safety belts such as employed for occupants of airplanes and automobiles.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved buckle of the above type having a more reliable, practical and convenient construction and mode of opera-tion.

Another object is the provision of a construction which facilitates the engagement with the buckle of an end of the belt to be secured.

A further object is to supply an improved buckler of the above character embodying features of construction insuring maintenance of connection with the buckle of the belt ends to be secured.

Still a further object is to provide a buckle having the above advantages in a -construction requiring a minimum number of parts and more economical to manufacture and assemble.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a buckle embodying the present invention in attachment to a belt and with the belt ends connected;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation;

FIG. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 in FIG. 1, with the belt ends connected;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but with the buckle parts in position to release the end of the belt;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 1 but with part of the cover plate broken away to show the engagement of the latch p-late with the belt fitting and other parts;

FIG. 6 is a section on line 6-6 in FIG. 3 showing the engagement of the latch portions with the latching openings in the belt fitting and the base plate of the buckle;

FIG. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 in FIG. 5 showing the buckle parts in securing engagement with the belt fitting;

FIG. 8 is a view similar in part to FIG. 7 but showing the belt fitting in course of Abeing inserted in the buckle;

FIG. 9 is a detailed section on the line 9 9 of FIG. 5 showing the mounting in the anges of the base plate of the spindle for supporting the latch and cover plates;

FIG. 10 is an elevation of the latch plate detached, as viewed from the right in FIG. 7, and

FIG. 11 is an end view of the latch plate detached, as seen from the left in FIG. 10.

The invention is embodied in the present instance in an assembled construction comprising a base plate shown generally at 1t) with a bottom portion 12 of rectangular plate shape having its edges at opposite sides thereof formed to provide upwardly extending flanges 14 spaced apart a distance slightly wider than the belt 16. A cylindrical spindle 18 is mounted at its ends in openings in the anges 14 at a distance above the bottom plate 12. One end of the spindle is slotted inwardly from its end as at 2t? (FIG. 9) and lugs 22 are turned inwardly from the flange into the sides of the slot to hold the spindle against rotation. This end of the spindle is also formed with a circumferential groove 24 (FIG. 1) into which a spring ring 26 is inserted to lock the spindle in place.

The base plate bottom 12 is formed with a plurality, preferably four, rectangular latching openings 26 (FIGS. 6 and 7) spaced transversely of the plate. The side flanges 14 are formed With guide openings or notches 2 (FIGS. 2 and 4) for a purpose hereafter described. The bottom plate 12 has a lug 30 struck upwardly therefrom for a similar purpose. Plate 12 has a transverse opening 32 (FIGS. 4 and 6) from which a flange 34 is inclined upwardly for engagement and support by lugs 36 formed inwardly from the side flanges 14. The side flanges are further formed with slots 38 inclined downwardly toward flange 34. A cylindrical bar 40, preferably having a roughened surface, has flattened ends 42 slidably mounted in slots 38 for the attachment of one end of the belt, as further described hereafter. l

The latch plate 44 (FIGS. l0 and 11) has. a plateshaped main portion 46 with upwardly turned lianges-48 at its opposite sides formed with elongated openings or vslots 50 for the reception of the spindle 18 on which it is supported for limited pivoting about the spindle and movement transverse thereto. Plate portion 46 is formed inwardly from its edge with openings 52 from the opposite sides of which four latching fingers 54 are turned down for entry through openings in the belt fitting 55 hereafter ldescribed and through the openings 26 in the base plate.

A torsion spring 56, of substantial and strong construction is coiled about spindle 18, with one end anchored in the slot 20 (FIG. 7) in the spindle and the other end bearing against the latch plate portion 46 to move and retain its fingers 54 in latching position (FIG. 7). Latch plate flanges 48 are provided with slots 58 for the reception of inwardly projected lugs on the side flanges of a cover plate 62 hereafter described, by means of which the raising of the cover plate swings the latch plate upward-ly to release the latching fingers from the belt fitting hereafter described. The plate portion 46 has downwardly inclined camming lugs 64 between its latching ngers, for engagement by the forward edge of the belt fitting 55 as it is inserted between the base and latch plates, to facilitate initial lifting of the latch plate by the forward edge of the belt fitting and so minimize the force with which the latch plate must be raised against the tension of spring 56 during insertion of the belt fitting into its latched position. In latched position lugs 64 drop in openings of the belt fitting so as to avoid any interference with the full latching of the buckle.

Cover plate 62 is rectangular in shape, with downturned side flanges 66 having openings for reception of spindle 18 on which it is pivotally mounted, and with a downwardly curved rear edge in spaced relation above base plate portion 12. Flanges 66 are formed with lugs 60 which engage in the slots 58 ofthe latch plate so that lifting of the cover (FIG. 4) lifts the latch plate 44 to release the belt fitting 55. The slotted openings 50 in flanges 48 of the latch plate facilitates lifting of the latch plate to releasing position with a minimum 0f pivotal movement and of releasing force.

The belt fitting 55 is a plate formed in rear of its front edge with rectangular openings y68, the front portions of which come tinto registry with the latch openings 26 of the base plate for the conjoint reception of the latching fingers. Except for a central notch 70, the fitting has a straightforward edge for engagement simultaneously with all of the latching fingers. The notch 70 in its front edge engages under a hook shaped lug 30 of the base plate, while lugs 72 at its opposite sides fit into notches 28 in the side anges of the base plate, so as to guide and maintain the belt fitting in aligned position on the upper surface of the base plate portion 12.

In operation, as belt fitting 55 is inserted between the latch and 'base plates and pressed forwardly, its forward edge engages the rear edges of all of the plurality of latching lingers and swings the latching plate upwardly, assisted by the camming coaction of its edge and the inclined lugs 64 of the latch plate, to reduce the amount of force required for locking engagement, the notches 58 of the latching plate affording such movement without interference by or the raising of the cover plate 62, With continued inward movement of the belt fitting, its latching openings are brought into registry with those of the base plate and with the latching fingers which snap through all of the openings, positively locking the buckle in closed condition and the belt ends together. Thereafter, by virtue of the slotted bearing of the latch plate on spindle 18, the cover plate may be pivotally lifted to lift the latch plate out of locking engagement, with a minimum of pivotal movement and of the force required for such disengagement.

It is apparent from the above description that the in vention provides a construction comprising relatively few parts, including but a single spring, all of substantial, strong, and reliable construction. The beltvitting is inserted into the buckle with a minimum of resistance, while maintained in alignment and guided by the side flanges of the base plate. It is securely confined in latching position, not only by the latching fingers but also by its lateral lugs 72 in notches 28 and by the engagement of the hook lug 30 over its front edge. The secure locking of the parts is assured by a plurality of latching fingers distributed across the buckle and for release the disengagement of the parts is facilitated by the slotted bearing of the latching plate on its spindle.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects and while it has been herein disclosed by reference to the details of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure is intended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it is contemplated that various modifications in the construction and ar rangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art, within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A buckle comprising a base plate formed with a plurality of latch openings spaced thereacross and having upstanding flanges at opposite sides thereof, a spindle fixed at its ends in said iianges, means on said base plate for securing a belt end thereto, a cover plate movably mounted on said spindle in spaced 'relation to said base plate, and having upstanding flanges at opposite sides thereof paral lel with and lying within said base plate flanges, a belt plate for attachment to the other end of said belt and for insertion between said cover plate and base plate to overlie the latter, said belt plate having a plurality of openings therein adapted for registry with said base plate openings, a latch plate loosely pivoted on said spindle and having a plurality of latch portions for engagement in said belt plate and base plate openings said latch plate having upstanding flanges at opposite sides thereof parallel with and lying within said cover plate anges, spring means connected to said spindle and en gaging said latch plate for moving said latch plate to latching position, a plurality of inclined camming portions between said latch portions of said latch plate for engagement by said belt plate during insertion thereof between said cover plate and base plate to initiate movement of said latch plate above the path of said belt plate, lugs on said cover plate iianges and there being cooperating openings on said latch plate anges whereby said cover plate may be moved to move said latch plate and release said "belt portion.

2. A buckle comprising a base plate formed with a plurality of laterally spaced latch openings and having upstanding anges at opposite sides thereof, a spindle fixed at its ends in said anges, means on said base plate for securing a belt thereto, a cover plate pivotally mounted on said spindle in spaced relation to said base plate and having upstanding flanges at opposite sides thereof parallel with and lying within said base plate flanges, a belt plate for attachment to the other end of said belt for insertion between said cover plate and base plate to overlie the latter, said belt plate having a plurality of laterally spaced openings therein for registry with said base plate openings a latch plate loosely pivoted on said spindle and having a plurality of latehing lingers for engagement in said belt plate and base plate openings, spring means having one end fixed to said spindle and its other end engaging said latch plate for moving said latch plate to latching position, means connecting said cover plate and latch plate flanges whereby said cover plate may be raised to raise said latch plate and free said belt plate for removal, said belt plate having a straight forward edge for simultaneous engagement with said latching fingers and having a medial notch in said edge, a lug on said base plate for engagement over said belt plate edge in said notch thereof, there being notches in said base plate flanges, and lugs on opposite sides of said belt plate for engagement in said notches of said latch plate flanges for cooper-ation with said base plate lug to maintain said belt plate onV and parallel with said base plate and maintain said latching fingers in engagement with said belt plate and base plate openings under tension in said belt.

3. A buckle comprising a base plate formed with a plurality of laterally spaced latch openings and having upstanding flanges at opposite sides thereof, a spindle fixed at its endsin said flanges, means on said base plate for securing a belt thereto, va cover plate pivotally mounted on said spindle in spaced relation to said base plate and having upstanding anges at opposite sides thereof parallel with and lying within said base plate flanges, a belt plate for attachment to the other end of said belt for insertion between said cover plate and base plate to overlie the latter, said belt plate having a plurality of laterally spaced openings therein for registery with said base plate openings, a latch plate loosely pivoted on said spindle and having a plurality of latching fingers for engagement in said belt plate and base plate openings, spring means having one end fixed to said spindle and its other end engaging said latch plate for moving said latch plate to latching position, lugs on said cover plate flanges and there being cooperating openings on said latch plate flanges whereby said cover plate may be raised to raise said latch plate and free said belt plate for removal, a plurality of inclined cam portions on said latch plate between said fingers thereof for engagement lby said belt plate during insertion thereof, to initiate movement of said latch plate above the path of said belt plate, said belt plate having a straight forward edge for simultaneous engagement with said latching fingers and having a medial notch in said edge, a lug on said base plate for engagement over said belt plate edge in said notch thereof, there being notches in said base plate iianges, and lugs on opposite sides of said belt plate for engagement in said notches of said latch plate lianges for cooperation with said base plate lug to maintain said belt plate'on and parallel with said base plate and maintain said latching fingers in engage ment with said belt plate and base plate openings under tension in said belt.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,710,999 Davis June 21, 1955 2,803,864 Bishaf Aug. 27, 1957 2,846,745 Lathrop Aug. 12, 1958 2,876,516 Cummings Mar. 10, 1959 2,893,088 Harper July 7, 1959 2,896,284 Bishaf July 28, v1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 215,025 Australia Mar. 7, 1956 

1. A BUCKLE COMPRISING A BASE PLATE FORMED WITH A PLURALITY OF LATCH OPENINGS SPACED THEREACROSS AND HAVING UPSTANDING FLANGES AT OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF, A SPINDLE FIXED AT ITS ENDS IN SAID FLANGES, MEANS ON SAID BASE PLATE FOR SECURING A BELT END THERETO, A COVER PLATE MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SPINDLE IN SPACED RELATION TO SAID BASE PLATE, AND HAVING UPSTANDING FLANGES AT OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF PARALLEL WITH AND LYING WITHIN SAID BASE PLATE FLANGES, A BELT PLATE FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE OTHER END OF SAID BELT AND FOR INSERTION BETWEEN SAID COVER PLATE AND BASE PLATE TO OVERLIE THE LATTER, SAID BELT PLATE HAVING A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS THEREIN ADAPTED FOR REGISTRY WITH SAID BASE PLATE OPENINGS, A LATCH PLATE LOOSELY PIVOTED ON SAID SPINDLE AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF LATCH PORTIONS FOR ENGAGEMENT IN SAID BELT PLATE AND BASE PLATE OPENINGS SAID LATCH PLATE HAVING UPSTANDING FLANGES AT OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF PARALLEL WITH AND LYING WITHIN SAID COVER PLATE FLANGES, SPRING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID SPINDLE AND ENGAGING SAID LATCH PLATE FOR MOVING SAID LATCH PLATE TO LATCHING POSITION, A PLURALITY OF INCLINED CAMMING PORTIONS BETWEEN SAID LATCH PORTIONS OF SAID LATCH PLATE FOR ENGAGEMENT BY SAID BELT PLATE DURING INSERTION THEREOF BETWEEN SAID COVER PLATE AND BASE PLATE TO INITIATE MOVEMENT OF SAID LATCH PLATE ABOVE THE PATH OF SAID BELT PLATE, LUGS ON SAID COVER PLATE FLANGES AND THERE BEING COOPERATING OPENINGS ON SAID LATCH PLATE FLANGES WHEREBY SAID COVER PLATE MAY BE MOVED TO MOVE SAID LATCH PLATE AND RELEASE SAID BELT PORTION. 